Wednesday, December 30, 2015

County Deadline approaching

Just a reminder that the deadline to enter the photos for the county photography contest is January 14th at 5:00 pm. You will submit them through email to wendysdarling@gmail.com following the instructions in the 4-H State photography guidelines. If you have any questions please let me know.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Bokeh/Photography article

Last night we talked about Bokeh as well as focus and I told many of you that I'd share an article I received in my email.  There are also some great examples and questions in the comments you might find helpful. 
smile emoticon Parents, this is a FREE online magazine I get in my email. You might like to subscribe if you think your child might be interested. As a disclaimer let me say that I have never seen anything inappropriate, but I do not always look at every article. So, you might want to check it out first just to be cautious. But, there is  some great information here.http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-beautiful-bokeh-christmas-images-with-31-stunning-examples
ile emoticon

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Workshop Reminder and Location Change

The Photography workshop has been moved to the Rusk 

Public Library on Monday. We will meet in the parking lot at 

4:00 and begin on the square. Then move to the library from 

5:00ish - 6:00 for the rest of the workshop. smile emoticon We look 

forward to seeing all of you there. Bring your cameras or cell 

phones if you have them. Parents, please feel free to join in.

smile emoticon Tabitha will teach on "Focus" Monday night, the 23rd.  You 

might also want a sweater or jacket.  

Monday, October 26, 2015

Curriculum link/Next Workshop

We had a great workshop tonight!  Glad to see so many there.  :-)

Here is the photography curriculum we told you about tonight; in case you are interested.  Remember, if you homeschool this is a also a great elective choice.  :-)  You can get the bundle that this links to, or get the books individually as needed.  They are on sale through Thursday.   

Our next workshop will be November 23rd at 4:00 pm.  Tabitha will teach "Focus" and the kids will go around the square taking photos to practice.  We will finish up back at the Ext. Office to practice photo judging and look at the photos the kids took  :-)


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

County Photography and Photo Judging Contest dates

Mark your calendars!!!

The dates for the County Photography Contest and Photo Judging have been set.  

All entries to the photography contest may be emailed to wendysdarling@gmail.com by 5:00 pm January 14, 2016.  Please, be sure to follow the submission guidelines stated in the State guidelines as far as size, and what to put on the subject line.

Judges will have the week of January 18th-22nd to judge the photos.  

The Photography Judging contest will coincide with County Roundup on January 30th.   All awards, including the photography awards, will be given that day after Roundup.


Photography Opportunity! :-)

For anyone who is interested; I have a couple of phone books you can have for entrance fees.  4-H photography kids; this would be a fantastic opportunity to get some photography practice in, and maybe some great shots to enter in the contest.  It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend!!  :-)

THIS weekend, October 3 - 4 from 9am - 4pm is Phone Book 
Recycle Days at Caldwell Zoo in Tyler. Get in Free!
Help our Earth and get FREE admission to the zoo. Take an old 
phone book to be recycled and receive one free admission ticket 
for each phone book recycled. How cool is that?!





Friday, September 25, 2015

2016 Guidelines/District Deadline

The new guidelines for the Photography Project have been released.  Most of the rules appear to be the same as last year, but please be sure to read through them all.

View guidelines and information HERE.

County and District will follow these same guidelines; however the entrance fees and submission deadlines will be different.

County Level will accept photos from Pee Wee and up; and there is no entrance fee for County Level.

District Fees will be announced when we find out; the deadline for District entries is February 24, 2016.  This is for Junior - Seniors.


The new "theme" this year is “4-H, Ribbons, Awards and Recognition”

Description: Theme photo focuses on a subject announced and outlined in the contest rules and guidelines. For 2015-2016 the theme is “4-H, Ribbons, Awards and Recognition”. This year the theme will focus still life arrangements of 4-H awards, ribbons, recognition. The arrangement and positioning of items will be strongly evaluated as well as the quality of the photo. Photo should create emotion and have impact!

What is NOT Allowed Livestock show auction, winning photos. School, sports, church, or any outside of 4-H awards. The theme is to highlight 4-H awards. 

Examples A senior 4-H members awards, ribbons, belt buckles, and/or plaques arranged so it creates a strong story of success or the impact of 4-H.

We will have copies of this guidelines available at the information meeting September 26th. 

Monday, September 14, 2015

Photo Opportunities

The photography information class will be held September 26th at 1:00-2:00, but that does not mean you have to wait to start taking those photos!  :-)

All photos taken between January 2015 up until the day of the deadline to enter the county, district, or state contests are eligible.

You have lots of great opportunities to take advantage of right now!!  Do you plan to attend the East Texas State Fair?  There are people, animals, night time shots with the lights,
and all sorts of things that would qualify for any of the 15 categories available.

Football games!  Don't forget those action shots.  :-)


Take a look around you and think "outside of the box".    We will see you on the 26th!!  :-)

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Photography/Photo Judging Info Meeting

The 2015-2016 4-H year is upon us.  There will be an informational meeting on September 26th.  We will meet from 1:00 - 2:00 at the Extension Office in Rusk. Bring your camera if you have one.  :-)  This is open to 4-H participants of all ages.


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Online Photography Class

Recently a young friend of mine told me about a site that offered classes online for free IF you catch them live streaming.  After that, you have to pay for the class.  SO, I've been watching for upcoming photography classes.  There is one this Tuesday, July 14th, and I wanted to post it for any one who may be interested.  I have not viewed the class, and due to work will only be able to view part of it, so if you get a chance to watch it, please share what you learned with the rest of us.  :-)

https://www.creativelive.com/courses/innovative-techniques-for-outdoor-photography-with-george-lepp

Monday, July 6, 2015

Basic Outdoor Photography Class class at Mission Tejas State Park

 There will be a "Basic Outdoor Photography" class offered at Mission Tejas State Park on July 11, 2015 at 9:00 am.

"Learn basic outdoor photography tips from an expert.  Bring a point & shoot or DSL camera.  Check in the office for the meeting point. This class meets at 9:00 am the 2nd Saturday of each month. The instructor for this class is Jack Coleman.  Don't forget your water and bug spray!! The class is FREE; however, there is a $2.00 park entry fee for all age 13 years old and older.  They are located on HWY 21 between Alto and Crocket.  Please call       936-687-2394 if you have any questions."

This would be a wonderful opportunity to learn some tips and take some photos before the photography project begins again.  Great for the whole family! :-)

REMINDER**  The deadline to enter the East Texas State Fair photo contest is August 27th. See the website for details. 

Friday, June 26, 2015

Summertime/Vacation photos

Just a reminder; photos from January 2015 through the due date of any photo contest are eligible for entry to the 4-H Photography Contest.  :-)

So, don't forget about those graduation, vacation, and "summer fun" photos. Have FUN and take some time to play with the camera and take some photos this summer :-)  Visit the website for a reminder of the categories.

To view the 2014 Best in Show results just visit the website HERE.


Sunday, June 21, 2015

East Texas State Fair PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST


** Please visit the website and read all of the rules carefully!!
Parents; you can enter too!!  


Date: Sept 25 - Oct 04, 2015
Location: Harvey Convention Center

Calling all shutterbugs!  Show off your photography expertise.  

For the 100th East Texas State Fair, we have a special category - Heritage and History - to showcase East Texas historical landmarks.
 
Exhibitor Registration: Register online by August 27.
  
Entries Received: September 8-11 in the ETSF Office - 9:00 to 5:00

   See Rules below for details. $5.00 entry fee per photo. 
Photography Show on Display: September 25 - October 4, 2015.

   Harvey Convention Center Hallways 
Entries Released in Building A:

   October 5, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. and October 6, 9:30 to 4:30
Premiums Paid in the ETSF Office:  

   During the Fair - September 28 - October 2, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

   After the Fair -  October 5, 1:00 - 4:30; October 6-7, 9:30 to 4:30

   No premiums will be paid after October 7


County and State results

I must apologize for this being so late.  Here are the results for County Photography Contest, County Photo Judging, the State photography contest, and State Photo Judging.  

This year we had only 3 contestants.  

Here are this year's results: Kara Wofford (a Junior) had 10 photograph entries and received 4 blue ribbons, 5 red ribbons, and 1 white ribbon.

John Wofford (an Intermediate) had 7 photograph entries and received 2 blue ribbons, 4 red ribbons, and 1 white ribbon.
 
Sarah Wofford (an Intermediate) received Best in Show for her "Catch All" photograph of a wooden cross. Sarah had 12 photograph entries and received 5 blue ribbons, 6 red ribbons, and 1 white ribbon.

These siblings are all members of Bluebonnet 4-H Club and this is their first year to participate in the Photography project.

.David Wingard and Austin Patterson both competed in the County Photo Judging contest at County Roundup and both did VERY well.  David received a blue ribbon and Austin received a red ribbon.



At State Round Up David received a blue ribbon for his photo he took of Austin and entered into the "People" category.



Austin placed 2nd out of ALL of the individual Intermediates who were there!  Her first year to participate in 4-H and the first year for in the Photo Judging project for our county.


We are so very proud of EVERYONE who participated in the Photography and Photo Judging projects.  We look forward to next year, and pray that we have even MORE participation!  :-)

Monday, January 12, 2015

Reminder for District

Here is the information for District Photography.   


The District Office will be accepting entries until February 17, 2015. All contestant registration
information should be completed on 4-H Connect by this date. All pictures must be received by the
due date and in the specified format or the entry will be disqualified.

Entry fees for the District contest are $8.00 per person plus $.50 per photo. You will be notified as
soon as the contest registration becomes available on 4-H Connect.

Entries will be showcased in a running slide presentation during District Roundup on April 25,
2015. Selected photos will also be used on the District 5 website and may be used for marketing
and promotion efforts.

E-mailing Photographs:

In the subject line of the e-mail, include the name of the 4-H member and their county. Example—
Member Name, Clover County. Please make sure the photograph(s) is attached before sending. No
text is needed in the body of the e-mail. E-mails can come from personal e-mail addresses as well as
county Extension office e-mails. Send photographs to d54h@ag.tamu.edu .

***  Please be sure to follow all of the guidelines  and remember to register at https://4honline.com/  for this event as well as emailing them to the address listed above.

Photography Judging Information

Photography Judging Project

The classes for the Photography Judging project will begin THIS Thursday night, January 15th.  We will meet at 6:00pm at the Extension Office in Rusk.  We will then meet every other Thursday night for several weeks.

The objectives of this project is to help you learn how to judge a photo technically (i.e. looking for lighting, composition, interesting subject matter, focus, etc.)  This project teaching the participant develop critical thinking and decision making skills.  It will also help you develop your photography skills.  This is actually a VERY FUN project, and costs NOTHING except your expenses to the competitions.

Tabitha  Patterson (owner of Borrowed Moments Photography and Professional Photographer) will be leading the classes and will focus on one aspect of  photography each week.  You will also learn what is involved in the project/competition and practice that.

This is a new project, and is NOT a qualifying event; like the photography project itself.  However, we WILL have both County and District contests for this event.
  This is also an invitational event at State Roundup.  That means we can already plan to take both Intermediate AND Senior teams to State Roundup to compete.
This is an amazing opportunity for Intermediates and younger Seniors to see what all State Roundup is about.   IF you would like to be on a team you will need to be able to attend state Round up on June 8th – 12th.  Photography Judging Competition is the afternoon of the 9th. More information will be given at the class on Thursday, but if you have any questions, etc. please contact Wendy Emprimo 903-721-7897.

**  Jr.’s can attend the classes and participate at county and district, but only Intermediates and Seniors may go to State.  We REALLY want to take at least one team in each division (more if we can) to represent Cherokee County.  Keep in mind that when your record book is judged they like to see variety in projects; to see that you are “expanding your interests”.  This would be a good one to start with.

Dates of classes and competitions:
Jan. 15th & 29th                   
Feb. 12th & 26th
March 12th
April 9th
County Roundup (Which will include Photography Judging) is March 21st.
District Roundup (Which will include Photography Judging) is April 25th
May's dates are TBD, but we will meet to talk about results of District Roundup and go over some things before State Roundup.